Gaming gloves

ABSTRACT

A hand covering including multiple digit coverings, wherein each digit is surrounded by a material to allow movability of the digits relative to one another for gaming and provide ventilation to a hand received there within is provided. The hand covering may be used for gaming purposes. The hand covering may include a body portion for covering a palm and dorsal side of the hand, wherein the body portion is connected to the multiple digit coverings, wherein the material may include an anti-static material to disperse static electricity; and at least one of the multiple digit coverings may include an impregnated material adjacent to the distal end of the multiple digit covering.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/070,908 filed 27-Aug.-2020 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Hand coverings have been designed for various purposes, and of varying materials to achieve different goals. Some are made of thicker warming fabrics to be worn in colder climates, others are for use with cleaning products to prevent exposure of the skin to chemicals. However, a need exists for a hand covering that can be used to protect the user while in an environment where contact surfaces are touched by numerous individuals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description briefly stated above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top side view of an embodiment of a hand covering.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a top side of an embodiment of a hand covering.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bottom side of an embodiment of a hand covering.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a hand covering showing the multiple digit coverings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles and operation of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope are approximations, the numerical values set forth in specific non-limiting examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumed therein. As a non-limiting example, a range of “less than 10” can include any and all sub-ranges between (and including) the minimum value of zero and the maximum value of 10, that is, any and all sub-ranges having a minimum value of equal to or greater than zero and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10, e.g., 1 to 7.

The invention is directed to, in part, a glove or hand covering for use specifically for gaming or precision work. The hand covering embodiments described herein provide a safe, efficient gaming experience. In high volume areas, such as casinos, microbes are plentiful. It is impossible to clean all gaming machines, money being exchanged, cards, chips, and other items found in a casino thoroughly enough to prevent the spread of germs. In order to minimize or eliminate the spread of microbes, the inventor herein has identified a device, a hand covering, to be worn while gaming. The hand covering provides protection to the hand of the user by creating a barrier. The hand covering provides an anti-microbial gaming experience by providing a barrier between the highly contacted surfaces in a casino, for example, and the user. In addition, however, the hand coverings discovered and disclosed for the first time herein also provide anti-static contact with objects to enable a user to effectively and efficiently game. For example, anti-static properties are particularly beneficial when handling cards during poker or blackjack play, or when counting or handling money. In addition, the fingertips or digit covering portions of the hand coverings may be modified to include a material that is different from, or has been treated differently than the material of the remainder of the hand covering, in one embodiment. The modified material may be described in greater detail herein and may vary from digit covering to digit covering within one hand covering.

In some examples, the material may be modified at the digit to provide an electrically conductive element. In other embodiments, the material at the digit may be modified to include a material to be used with a capacitive touch screen.

The various mentions of modified material herein may include a material impregnated with a composition comprising a non-metallic electrically conductive agent and a binder at a sufficient concentration to provide electrical conductivity in the impregnated material. In order to provide material at the digit covering to be used with a capacitive touch screen, the material may be back-coated, or otherwise impregnated with a composition including a non-metallic and/or a metallic conductive agent, including, for example, leather.

Definitions:

The term “impregnate” or “impregnated” as used herein refers to a material that is filled or infused or coated in some matter with a composition. In some embodiments, the material may be coated. There are various processes that exist in the art for coating a material. In other embodiments, the composition may fill voids or interstices of a material. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including but not limited to spraying, drying, curing, soaking, rinsing, or combinations of a variety of treatments and the like. For example, the composition may be applied to a material by spraying and then drying the material with or without heat. The definition of the term impregnate or impregnated as described herein is not intended to be limiting.

The term associated or association, as used herein, includes but is not limited to direct or indirect attachment, adjacent to, in contact with, partially or fully attached to, and/or in close proximity therewith. The term “in conjunction with” as used herein includes but is not limited to synchronously or near synchronous timing.

It is to be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like as used herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms “a” and “an” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity). It is to be noted that all ranges disclosed within this specification are inclusive and are independently combinable.

The term “gaming” as used herein refers to but is not limited to gambling or playing video games, including card or table games and electronic gaming.

The term “anti-static material” includes materials or fabrics known in the art to oppose the flow of electric current. For example, materials or fabrics that prevent the buildup of static electricity include anti-static materials. Anti-static materials also include conductive and dissipative materials or fabrics known to those skilled in the art.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise these terms do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Moreover, unless specifically stated, any use of the terms first, second, etc., does not denote any order, quantity or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc., are used to distinguish one element from another.

In many embodiments described herein it is provided, as shown in one embodiment in FIGS. 1-4, a hand covering 100 for gaming including multiple digit coverings 102, wherein each digit is surrounded by a material to allow movability of the digits relative to one another for gaming and to provide ventilation to a hand received therewithin. The hand covering 100 may further include a body portion 104 for covering a palm and dorsal side of the hand, and optionally extending beyond the hand to cover the wrist and/or an arm portion. The body portion 104 may be connected to the multiple digit coverings 102, wherein the material comprises an anti-static material to disperse static electricity, and at least one of said multiple digit coverings 102 may include an impregnated material 106 adjacent to the distal end 108 of said multiple digit covering 102.

The material of the hand coverings 100 may include a copper fiber to provide antimicrobial properties. The hand covering 100 may have additional or alternative fabrics for providing antimicrobial properties or may include antimicrobial agents incorporated therein. The hand covering 100 embodiments described herein provide prevention from growth of microbes thereon or therein, and furthermore, via contact with the hand covering may provide antimicrobial effects to surfaces that are in contact with the hand covering, such as for example, a gaming station, a slot machine, cards, money, chips, among other surfaces.

In some embodiments described herein, the material may include at least 50% polyester. In other embodiments, the material may include 85% polyester. In still other embodiments, the material may include a copper fiber material, which may be provided in the hand covering material, generally, or only in the digit coverings. In some embodiments, the material may include at least between 1%-10% copper fiber. In a more specific non-limiting embodiment, the material may include 5% copper fiber. In other examples, the material may include at least 5% polyurethane. In still other non-limiting examples, the polyurethane may be concentrated at or near the digit coverings 102. In some examples, the digit coverings 102 may include material that is 10% polyurethane. The polyurethane may be incorporated into the fabric or may be applied as a coating to the hand covering in various embodiments. In at least one example, the polyurethane may provide increased abrasion resistance. In another embodiment, the hand covering may include 13-gauge pylon. The hand covering 100 may provide ventilation to a hand of a user while worn to increase comfort and decrease microbe or fungal growth.

In a specific non-limiting embodiment, a hand covering 100 as described herein may be provided, wherein the material comprises 85% polyester, 10% polyurethane at the digit coverings, for example, at or near the fingertips, and 5% copper fiber at or near the fingertips. It is contemplated that the materials of the invention may include, but are not limited to, textiles, leathers, nonwoven materials, and a leather-like materials. It is contemplated that the materials of the invention comprise some voids or interstices to allow for effective impregnation of the conductive agents. These materials may include, but are not limited to, leather, faux leather, suede, faux suede, polymer, wool, cotton, fur, nylon, fleece, fabric, cloth, woven and knitted materials, polyester, nylon, synthetic fabrics, rubber, latex, neoprene and the like.

As used herein the term “conductive agent,” also referred to herein as “electrically conductive material”, refers to an agent that is electrically conductive. In some embodiments, the agent is biocompatible, meaning it is compatible with human tissue. In certain embodiments, the conductive agent comprises conductive particles and/or conductive fibers. In other embodiments, the conductive agent may include nonmetallic conductive agents may include, but are not limited to, carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphite, PEDOT, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the conductive agent may include carbon fiber chains with at least some of the carbon fiber chains having a length of greater than 100 nanometers. In other embodiments, the agent is long chain carbon black.

The non-metallic conductive agents may also be polymers. Representative polymers include poly(acetylene)s, poly(pyrrole)s, poly(thiophene)s, polyanilines, polythiophenes, poly(p-phenylene sulfide), and poly(para-phenylene vinylene)s (PPV), polyindole, polypyrene, polycarbazole, polyazulene, polyazepine, poly(fluorene)s, and polynaphthalene and combinations thereof.

The term “metallic conductive agents” refers to a variety of conductive metals. Those metals include silver, copper, gold, nickel, aluminum, indium, zinc, tin, tantalum, magnesium, sodium, beryllium, barium, cadmium, calcium, rubidium, cesium, lithium, molybdenum, cobalt, uranium, chromium, manganese, iron, platinum, tungsten, osmium, titanium, iridium, ruthenium, nickel, rhodium, palladium, steel, thallium, lead, niobium, vanadium, arsenic, antimony, mercury, bismuth, tellurium and combinations or alloys thereof. In certain embodiments, the metallic agent may be selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, gold, nickel, aluminum, indium, zinc, tin, and combinations or alloys thereof.

Whether employing a metallic or non-metallic conductive agent, the conductive agent may serve as a coating to another particle or fiber. For example, silver-coated glass beads and silver-coated fiberglass may be included in materials of the hand coverings described herein. Further, it is also contemplated that a combination of conductive agents may be used. For example, silver-coated glass beads can be used in conjunction with carbon black.

While copper fiber is described herein as having antimicrobial properties, there are other materials that may be used that also include such properties, such as, for example, silver. These elements are naturally occurring, and non-toxic. The other materials of the hand covering described herein may be formed of textiles made from materials including polyester, spandex, nylon, vinyl, cotton, or any combination thereof. The antimicrobial copper fibers may be included, or may be impregnated into the textile at quantities sufficient to effect microbial growth.

Moisture becoming trapped within a hand covering is a major problem. This can result in general discomfort or itchiness while wearing the hand covering, and may also cause fungal or other infections due to the constant moisture near the hand. Therefore, the embodiments described herein may include moisture wicking or ventilating material to reduce or eliminate the moisture becoming trapped within the hand covering 100. Such material prevents the growth of microbes such as bacteria and fungi during storage of the hand coverings or during use.

The materials described in the embodiments herein, including, for example the antimicrobial agents, work synergistically with one another to increase the overall antimicrobial activity. In some non-limiting embodiments the hand covering 100 may serve to sanitize the hand of the wearer by placement on the wearer's hand. In these embodiments, the hand covering 100 may include an antiseptic or antibacterial material and/or substance on the portion of the hand covering 100 that contacts the hand of the user.

It should be borne in mind that all patents, patent applications, patent publications, technical publications, scientific publications, and other references referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference in this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which the present invention pertains.

Reference to particular buffers, media, reagents, cells, culture conditions and the like, or to some subclass of same, is not intended to be limiting, but should be read to include all such related materials that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize as being of interest or value in the particular context in which that discussion is presented. For example, it is often possible to substitute one buffer system or culture medium for another, such that a different but known way is used to achieve the same goals as those to which the use of a suggested method, material or composition is directed.

It is important to an understanding of the present invention to note that all technical and scientific terms used herein, unless defined herein, are intended to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The techniques employed herein are also those that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, unless stated otherwise. For purposes of more clearly facilitating an understanding the invention as disclosed and claimed herein, the following definitions are provided.

While a number of embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein in the present context, such embodiments are provided by way of example only, and not of limitation. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those of skill in the art without materially departing from the invention herein. For example, the present invention need not be limited to best mode disclosed herein, since other applications can equally benefit from the teachings of the present invention. Also, in the claims, means-plus-function and step-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures and acts, respectively, described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents or act equivalents, but also equivalent structures or equivalent acts, respectively. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims, in accordance with relevant law as to their interpretation. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand covering, comprising: multiple digit coverings, wherein each digit is surrounded by a material to allow movability of the digits relative to one another for gaming and provide ventilation to a hand received there within; a body portion for covering a palm and dorsal side of the hand, wherein said body portion is connected to the multiple digit coverings; wherein said material comprises an anti-static material to disperse static electricity; and at least one of said multiple digit coverings comprising an impregnated material adjacent to the distal end of said multiple digit covering.
 2. The hand covering for gaming of claim 1, wherein the material comprises at least 50% polyester.
 3. The hand covering for gaming of claim 2, wherein the material comprises 85% polyester.
 4. The hand covering for gaming of claim 1, wherein the material comprises copper fiber.
 5. The hand covering for gaming of claim 4, wherein the digit coverings comprise the copper fiber material.
 6. The hand covering for gaming of claim 1, wherein the material comprises at least 1%-10% copper fiber.
 7. The hand covering for gaming of claim 6, wherein the material comprises 5% copper fiber.
 8. The hand covering for gaming of claim 1, wherein the material comprises at least 5% polyurethane.
 9. The hand covering for gaming of claim 8, wherein the digit coverings comprise the polyurethane.
 10. The hand covering for gaming of claim 9, wherein the digit coverings comprise 10% polyurethane.
 11. An anti-microbial, breathable, anti-static hand covering for gaming, comprising: a body portion and a digit covering portion; and wherein at least one of said body portion and said digit covering portion comprises a material comprising: 85%polyester 10% polyurethane; and 5% copper fiber.
 12. The anti-microbial, breathable, anti-static hand covering for gaming of claim 11, wherein the 10% polyurethane and/or the 5% copper fiber are provided at or near the distal ends of the digit covering portions.
 13. The anti-microbial, breathable, anti-static hand covering for gaming of claim 11, wherein the digit covering portions may comprise an electrically conductive material.
 14. The anti-microbial, breathable, anti-static hand covering for gaming of claim 11, wherein the electrically conductive material is disposed on at least one of the digit covering portions at or near the distal end. 